The Impact of Chronic Low Back Pain and Motor Control Impairment on Athletic Performance in Elite Soccer Players: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background Chronic low back pain (CLBP) and motor control impairment (MCI) are common among soccer players, yet their direct impact on key athletic performance metrics remains unclear. Understanding these relationships is critical for optimizing training, rehabilitation, and injury prevention strategies in elite athletes. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate CLBP and MCI's impact on elite soccer players' athletic performance. Methods This cross-sectional study included 60 elite soccer players (Mean ± SD; Age: 17.93 ± 2.15 years, BMI: 21.64 ± 1.56 kg/m², Training Age: 8.68 ± 2.51 years), categorized into three groups: CLBP (n = 16), diagnosed by a physician; MCI (n = 28), identified using the Motor Control Test Battery; and a healthy control group (n = 16). Pain intensity in the CLBP group was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Athletic performance was evaluated using objective tests for agility, speed, power, and static and dynamic balance. Data were analyzed with ANOVA and the Kruskal-Wallis test. Results The CLBP group reported moderate pain levels (Mean ± SD, VAS: 4.04 ± 1.17). No statistically significant differences in agility, speed, power, or balance were observed among the CLBP, MCI, and control groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions Moderate CLBP and MCI did not significantly impair the athletic performance of elite soccer players. These findings suggest elite athletes may develop compensatory adaptations to maintain performance despite neuromuscular impairments. Future research should investigate the long-term consequences of these conditions on athletic longevity and injury risk. Trial registration: The study protocol was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (ClinicalTrials.gov Registration Number and Date: NCT05934201, Initial Release: 04/05/2023).